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Apple Ends Free iCloud Storage For all MobileMe Members

As mentioned in a reminder email from August, Apple has just ended the c iCloud grace period that was extended to former customers of the erstwhile MobileMe cloud storage service.

Since the introduction of iCloud back in 2011, users have been given free 5GB of storage for phone data, photos, and other stuff. This was done as a courtesy to MobileMe subscribers who were on paid subscription plans during that time; Apple offered a free iCloud upgrade equivalent to their then-current data plans. The initial period was meant to last one year, but this was extended by Apple to Sept. 30, 2013.

In an email sent on Tuesday, Apple includes the amount of space a member is currently using and offers information on how to upgrade to a higher plan.

Currently, tiered pricing options for add-on storage range from $20 per year for an extra 10GB of space, to $100 per year for an additional 50GB of space. Former MobileMe subscribers have also been able to switch over to the new model for some time via the Settings menu in iOS 5, OS X and above, and iCloud Control Panel for Windows.

According to a Support Document regarding today's expiry protocols, all customers using less than 5GB plan will be automatically downgraded to the free 5GB option, while those above the cap will see a temporary stoppage of service for iCloud Backup, iCloud Mail and Documents in the Cloud. If this happens, there are two ways to restore service: remove data from the cloud or upgrade to a higher plan.